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Mai Khao Beach
A paradise for aviation enthusiasts, lovers of long walks on the sand and swimming on a secluded beach is situated on the north-western coast of the island, near Phuket Airport ( HKT).
How do you get to the beach, and where are the best spots for watching aeroplanes?
Swimming and watching aeroplanes
Mai Khao Beach is one of the best-known beaches in Phuket because it runs right alongside the runway at the local airport.
Planes therefore land or take off just above the beach. Below are pictures of planes landing, but watching them take off is also a great experience. Whether planes land or take off over the beach often changes during the day depending on the wind direction.
You can watch the planes directly beneath their flight path, in line with the runway.
Mai Khao Beach itself, at the southern end, flows seamlessly into Nai Yang Beach, and together they stretch for more than 7 km, making them the longest beach on Phuket.
The beach is extremely popular for long walks, but also for swimming, as – apart from a narrow strip around the runway – you’ll practically be all alone here.
The easiest way to monitor current flight traffic is via the website flightradar24.com.
Beach facilities
Mai Khao Beach is situated away from the major holiday resorts and is almost entirely devoid of facilities along its entire length.
You’ll find a small beach bistro only at the spot north of the runway (about 150 metres).
If you’d like to have a swim on the beach before your flight, bear in mind that there are no showers. Unfortunately, these aren’t available in the airport terminal either.
How do you get to the beach?
The nearest point from which you can reach the viewpoint near the airport is at the entrance to Sirinat National Park at the southern end of Mai Khao.
You can walk here from the airport in 20 minutes along the footpath (map of the route at en.mapy.cz) covering a distance of 2 km.
Update:to get from the road to the beach, you have to walk through the park, for which an entrance fee is charged 200 thb. It is possible to walk around the entire park and reach the beach further south (an extra 1 km or so).
You can also take a taxi to the beach from the north, from where it’s a 250-metre walk to the plane-spotting spot.
The nearest bus stops are at the airport terminals (2 km).
What to see around
Discover all the places to see in Phuket.
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Any questions left?
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Just be warned – according to the route described, you’ll pass through a ‘barrier’ where they charge a ridiculous 200 baht – for entry ‘into the park’. The forest and the coast are full of rubbish. The fact that you turn off towards the runway after a few metres doesn’t help, so on principle, turn left before the gate and go round the back – it’s a kilometre and a bit further. Or go in the morning or evening when there’s no one there, or approach from the north side.
Thanks for the up-to-date info, I’ll add it!